Exeter

Exeter's population grew in the decade to 2011. At the same time there were changes in religion, marriage and ethnicity.

The population reached nearly 120,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Exeter increased by 6.0%, from about 111,000 to 118,000.

The addition of almost 6,700 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Exeter was home to, on average, 18 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Changing household dynamics

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple increased in Exeter, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the South West.

Every local authority area across the South West saw a rise in the proportion of households with an unmarried couple, as the regional average grew from 8.4% to 10%.

In 2011, just under one in nine (11%) households in Exeter had an unmarried couple, compared with 9.9% in 2001. The percentage with just a single person increased from 33% to 34%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple was higher than across the South West

Percentage of households that that had an unmarried couple across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Exeter

The number of people in Exeter that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 23,000 in 2001 to about 41,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 20% to 35% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across the South West (from 17% to 30%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Exeter that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 77,000 in 2001 to just over 63,000 in 2011 (from 69% to 54%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation remained close to 9,500 (8.1%)

About 1,900 people (0.8%) said they were Muslim, up from about 860 in 2001 (1.6%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Exeter increased by 14 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Exeter by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in Exeter

This area saw the South West's third-largest rise in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership.

Across the region, only Plymouth (from 30% to 37%) and Bristol (from 40% to 47%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership.

Every local authority area across the South West saw a rise in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership, as the regional average grew from 27% to 31%.

In 2011, just over 4 in 10 (44%) people aged 16 and over in Exeter said they were single, compared with 38% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 43% to 38%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they were single across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Exeter

The number of people in Exeter from the White ethnic groups remained close to 110,000 between the last two seasons. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 98% to 93%.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across the South West (from 98% to 95%), but at a faster rate than the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Exeter from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 1,100 in 2001 to just under 4,600 in 2011 (from 1.0% to 3.9%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from about 920 to about 1,900 (from 0.8% to 1.7%).

Just over 980 people (0.3%) said they were from the Other ethnic groups (Arab or any other ethnic group), up from about 360 in 2001 (0.8%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Exeter decreased by 4.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Exeter by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Fall in home ownership

The percentage of households that owner their home fell in Exeter at a faster rate than in nearby East Devon.

In Exeter, the proportion of home ownership decreased from 66% in 2001 to 60% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in East Devon decreased from 78% to 75%.

Across the South West, the share of households that owner their home decreased from 72% to 67%.

Private renting in Exeter increased from 14% to 21%, while the rate of social housing remained close to 17%.

The rate of home ownership was lower than across the South West

Percentage of households that that owner their home across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

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